Sashing Ceremony

 ALV Pageant Circle completes Miss Grand Philippines 2023 pageant lineup

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The Miss Grand Philippines 2023 official candidates were presented to members of the media at the Grand Ballroom of Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila. After screenings made at the Promenade Greenhills and the Platform Events Place in Newport World Resorts, all those who qualified were each presented with their official sashes.

Here's the complete list of the official candidates, from the first and second screenings, as well as four others who were added to bring the number of delegates from 26 to 30:

- Herlene Nicole Budol (Angono, Rizal)

- Imogene Balles (Baguio City)

- Michelle Arceo (Bagumbayan, Quezon City)

- Marinella Catangay (Bohol)

- Nikki De Moura (Cagayan de Oro City)

- Shannon Tampon (Caloocan City)

- Charie Manalo Sergio (Caluya, Antique)

- Estephanie Delgado (Cavite)

- Laica Eupeña (General Santos City)

- Wilsie Perez (Laguna)

- Zyra Mae Carbonell (La Union)

- Bernadine Ambry Nicolas (Marikina City)

- Carla Tobias (Naga, Camarines Sur)

- Maria Gail Tobes (Northern Samar)

- Aeroz Ganiban (Nueva Ecija)

- Gabrielle Basan Runnstrom (Occidental Mindoro)

- Dynara Maurer (Pampanga)

- Rona Lalaine Lopez (Pangasinan)

- Leorenjen Gonzaga (Parañaque City)

- Resalina Toledo (Pasay City)

- Camilla Ricarto (Rizal Province)

- Arine Ejercito Tan (San Juan)

- Bernadette Fajardo (San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija)

- Ejay Vergara (Sarangani Province)

- Queen Mongcupa (Socorro, Quezon City)

- Dianne Pampura (Sultan Kudarat)

- Jirah Shammeh Bantas (Tantangan, South Cotabato)

- Francine Reyes (Tarlac)

- Catherine Camilon (Tuy, Batangas), and

- Faith Heterick (Urdaneta City)

Miss Grand Philippines national director Arnold L. Vegafria, who gave each of the thirty delegates their official sashes, is very optimistic about the outcome of this first-ever national selection for the Bangkok-based pageant system. "Today, we present to you a new batch of Filipina beauties who embody the ideals of the Miss Grand International Organization, and who we feel can wave our flag proudly once more in the global pageant scene.

"Despite the controversies, I am confident that we can empower pageant fans to overlook the petty issues and focus instead on the more relevant and substantial issues that we continue to fight for. 

"We can always choose to embrace positivity in the same way that we accept each other's unique beauty, regardless of our flaws and imperfections. It is this acceptance that enables us to transcend our ego and pride, and makes us realize how more we can accomplish when we choose peace instead of discord, and respect instead of prejudice," he intimated.

The Swimsuit Competition will unfold from June 21 to 24 in Acqua Boracay while the Charity Gala is slated to happen on July 8th.

The 2023 Miss Grand Philippines coronation night is scheduled to take place on July 13 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Miss Grand Philippines 2022 Roberta Angela Tamondong will relinquish her crown to the new winner. Stay tuned!